Questions and Answers
Which factor primarily contributed to the breakdown of the self-sufficient village economy under British rule?
In which regions was the Ryotwari System primarily implemented?
How often was the revenue demand revised under the Ryotwari System?
What was the outcome of the introduction of cheap machine-made goods on the village cottage industry?
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What was a significant consequence of the Permanent Settlement introduced by Lord Cornwallis?
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Which system of revenue collection involved periodic revisions based on villages or estates?
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What was a primary impact on farmers due to the new land revenue systems introduced by the British?
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Which of the following was NOT a part of the British land revenue systems implemented in India?
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Study Notes
Breakdown of Self-Sufficient Village Economy
- British rule disrupted traditional self-sufficient village economies, shifting focus from subsistence to cash crop production.
- Farmers began cultivating cash crops due to new revenue systems prioritizing cash payments over in-kind contributions.
- The influx of cheap machine-made products from Britain devastated local cottage industries.
- The decline of Indian rulers and nobility removed key consumers for handicrafts, further harming traditional crafts.
New Land Revenue Systems
- The British sought revenue for administration and military expenses, making land revenue a cornerstone of their fiscal policy.
- Three major systems introduced: Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari, all significantly altering land ownership and revenue collection.
Permanent Settlement
- Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 in Bengal and Bihar.
- Land granted to zamindars, who became landowners and were responsible for paying fixed cash revenue.
- Failure to pay led to confiscation of land; zamindars' rights were hereditary and transferable, while actual cultivators became tenants.
- Created a powerful zamindar class that supported British rule.
Ryotwari System
- Developed by officials Reed and Thomas Munro, aimed at direct settlements with cultivators (ryots).
- This system involved periodic revisions of revenue demands every 20 to 30 years.
- Primarily established in Madras and Bombay presidencies during the 19th century.
Mahalwari System
- Introduced in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, North-West Provinces, and Punjab.
- Revenue settlements conducted village by village with landlords or heads of families.
- Revenue rates subjected to periodic revisions, similar to Ryotwari.
Impact on Peasants
- New land systems dismantled traditional farmer-cultivator relationships, subjecting them to zamindar authority.
- Peasants faced increasing hardship under these systems, with significant pressure to produce cash crops like indigo, cotton, jute, poppy, and sugarcane.
- Essential food crop cultivation (e.g., wheat and rice) declined, worsening food security.
- Regardless of the land revenue system, peasants consistently suffered adverse effects.
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Description
This quiz explores the consequences of British colonial policies on India's village economy, cash crop production, and local industries. It delves into the effects of new land revenue systems and the decline of traditional handicrafts due to foreign competition. Test your knowledge on this significant historical transformation.
